advanced to the honorary Degree of Mark Master Mason. Through the ceremonies of this Degree, the Candidate is informed that “the stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner.” 1 It becomes apparent that the Keystone is vital to complete an Arch planned by G. M. H. A. before his assassination. The stone is described to the Overseers, who recognize it as the one they have rejected, and search is made to recover this necessary piece, without which, the Temple cannot be completed.
(Continued from page 48) and Treasurer, whose titles do not change. The titles and duties of appointed officers will also change. The Captain of the Host, for this Degree, is the Marshal, the Principal Sojourner is the Senior Deacon, the Royal Arch Captain is the Junior Deacon, and the Sentinel is the Tiler. These officers take the same stations as those officers in the Craft Lodge, in some jurisdictions, though not others. The Marshal is located in the West, just North of the Senior Warden. The Masters of the Veils for the Royal Arch Chapter become the Overseers in this Degree. The Master of the 1st Veil is the Junior Overseer, the Master of the 2nd Veil is the Senior Overseer, and the Master of the 3rd Veil is the Master Overseer in this Degree. The duty of these officers is to inspect the quality of the craftsmanship of the workers, and if satisfactory, pass it along.
The Keystone is found, and displayed to the Craft. On one side of the stone, the letters H.T.W.S.S.T.K.S. are found in a circle. The letters are read, depending on the Jurisdiction, as Hiram the Widow’s Son, Sent to King Solomon or Hiram, Tyrian, Widow’s Son, Sendeth to King Solomon.
The Working Tools of a Mark Master are the Chisel and Mallet. The Chisel is used by operative Masons to cut, carve, mark and engrave their work, but Masonically, it morally demonstrates the advantage of discipline and education. The Mallet is used by operative Masons to knock off excrescences and The Candidate for this Degree will carry a Keystone, smooth surfaces, but Masonically, it morally teaches to support an arch, while the Senior Deacon and other to correct irregularities and to reduce man to a proper conductor carry squared stones. These squared stones level, so that by quiet deportment he may, in the pass the inspection of the Overseers, while the school of discipline, learn to be content. 2 Keystone, beautifully wrought, is not permitted to pass, as it is not square work. This stone is thus These tools also allow the Mark Master to create his rejected. The builders then gather to receive wages own Mark, with Mallet and Chisel to put upon his from the Senior Warden. own penny, and to be recorded in his Chapter. It is specified in the 1952 Indiana work, that the Footnotes Keystone symbolizes the spiritual part of man, and 1)Psalm 118:22, also referenced in Matthew 21:42, Mark must be held and treated reverently by all, except the 12:10, Luke 20:17, Acts 4:11, 1 Peter 2:7, and also Master Overseer. His existence is purely on the referencing Ephesians 2:20. material plane. It is after this, that the Candidate is prepared for the ceremony of the Degree. Having been Initiated, Passed, and Raised, he is now seeking light by being
2) From Duncan’s Masonic Ritual and Monitor. Similar explanations were given in other variations of the ritual. TWT
Sources Blaisdell, Ron, P.M., “The Rituals of American Freemasonry,” June 16, 2001, http://www.themasonictrowel.com/ebooks/fm_freemasonry/Blaisdell__The_Rituals_of_American_Freemasonry.pdf accessed on February 20, 2012.
Degrees, http://yorkrite.com/degrees/ accessed on February 21, 2012. Degree Ritual, General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons International. 1996. Duncan, Malcolm C., Duncan’s Masonic Ritual and Monitor. 1866.
Blaisdell, Ron. Personal communication. Ritual for Degree of a Mark Master Mason. Indiana. 1952. Cryer, Neville Barker., The Royal Arch Journey. Ritual for Mark Master Mason. Iowa. 2003. 3rd
De Hoyos, Art, 33°, G C . Scottish Rite Monitor and Guide, Edition – Revised and Enlarged, 2011. Washington, DC. The Supreme Council, 33° Denslow, Ray V., A Handbook for Royal Arch Masons.
Spiedel, Frederick G., The York Rite of Freemasonry: A History and Handbook. Presented by Hugh DePayens Commandery No. 30, K.T. and associated York Rite Bodies in Erie County, NY. 1978.
www.twtmag.com
49